Lake Manitou (Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Manitou |
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 Lake Manitou
Location in Indiana
Lake Manitou
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rochester, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 41°3′35.78″N 86°11′31.94″W / 41.0599389°N 86.1922056°W |
| Type | artificial lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 775 acres (314 ha) |
| Average depth | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 55 ft (17 m) |
| Shore length1 | 8 mi (13 km) |
| Surface elevation | 781 ft (238 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Manitou is a special man-made lake located in Rochester, Indiana. It was created a long time ago, in 1827, by the federal government of the United States. This lake was made for the Potowatomi Native American tribe. It was part of an agreement, or treaty, that said the government would build a mill for the tribe to use.
The Potowatomi people had their own name for the lake: Man-I-Toe. This name meant "Devil's Lake" because they believed a mysterious creature lived there! Today, Lake Manitou covers about 775 acres (3.14 km2) of water. It is up to 65 feet (20 m) deep in some spots.
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Discover Lake Manitou
Lake Manitou is a beautiful spot in Rochester, Indiana. It is not a natural lake, but one that was carefully built by people. It is a popular place for many activities today. The lake is a great example of how human effort can create important natural spaces.
How Lake Manitou Was Created
Back in 1827, the federal government of the United States made a promise to the Potowatomi Native American tribe. This promise was part of a special agreement called a treaty. The treaty said that the U.S. government would build a mill for the Potowatomi people to use. To power this mill, a new lake was needed. That is how Lake Manitou came to be! It was built to help the Potowatomi tribe.
The Potawatomi and the Lake's Name
The Potowatomi tribe had a strong connection to the land and water. They gave the lake its original name, Man-I-Toe. This name translated to "Devil's Lake." It was believed that a strange creature, or monster, lived in the lake. This belief was part of their local stories and traditions. Even though the name sounds a bit scary, it shows the rich history and culture tied to the lake.
Fun Facts About Lake Manitou
Lake Manitou is a fairly large lake for being man-made. It covers about 775 acres of water. That is like more than 580 football fields! The deepest part of the lake goes down about 65 feet. This makes it a great place for different kinds of fish and other water creatures to live. The lake also has about 8 miles of shoreline, which is perfect for walks or enjoying the view.
